Measures G & H: Early results show they are passing the 2/3 "yes" vote necessary

In very early results, the two measures to extend parcel taxes in school districts covering Walnut Creek elementary and middle schools and Walnut Creek and Lamorinda high schools are receiving a very positive response from voters. Both measures, so far, have received more than than the 2/3 of voter approval needed to pass.

With seven of 49 precincts reporting, Measure G, which would allow the Acalanes Union High School District to permanently extend its $189 per-parcel tax, has received a "yes" vote from nearly 74 percent of voters so far. Twenty-six percent of the total 24,576 have said "no."

With four of 23 precincts reporting, Measure H, which would allow the Walnut Creek school district to permanently extend its $82 per parcel tax, has received a "yes" vote from 75 percent of voters so for. Nearly 25 percent of the total 10,790 have said "no."

Vote Tuesday!

Yeah, 2009 is an off-year for an election, and the ballot list isn't long, but try as much as you can to vote.

We've got some vitally important local races.

There's the election to decide our next local representative in the 10th U.S. Congressional District. The main contenders are Lt. Governor John Garamendi (Democrat) and San Ramon attorney David Harmer (Republican).

For those who live in Walnut Creek, you get to decide on the future of Broadway Plaza by voting "yes" or "no" on Measure I. A "yes" vote would allow Broadway Plaza to build a new department store--effectively, a Neiman Marcus--in downtown Walnut Creek.

Then there are the measures to extend parcel taxes for our local school districts: Measure G for the Acalanes Union High School District and Measure H for the Walnut Creek School District.

Good for you if you got your mail-in ballots in. And good for you if you've marked in time in whatever calendar you use to stop by your neighborhood polling place to vote.

Don't make the poor choice I made in last May's special election, when I didn't vote. Don't pull a Meg Whitman.

Come on, there's something very cool about getting to vote tomorrow. Those of us in the 10th congressional district get to decide on whom we want to send to Washington to represent us. Walnut Creek-ans get to decide on the enormously fateful question of whether they want a new luxury department store in town, and, we hope, put this whole Neiman Marcus controversy behind us. And property owners who live within two school district boundaries get to decide whether they think the schools need their financial help, via permanent parcel tax extensions.

Look, there is not a lot we can control in what's going on in the world, in this country, or even in this state. But we can make these local decisions that, especially with the school measures, affect us in an almost day-to-day way.

From Superintendent John Stockton: Final request for voters to say yes to Measure G

This is from John Stockton, superintendent of the Acalanes Union High School District, which covers Las Lomas High School in Walnut Creek, three other high schools in Lamorinda, one continuation high school, and a well-regarded adult education program. He explains why he believes that permanently extending the $189 per parcel tax is essential to maintaining the schools' high level of quality. Yes, as many of us know, the Acalanes district high schools consistently rank among the top high schools in the Bay Area.

Measure G - What a "Yes" Vote Provides

With Election Day upon us, it is important to reflect upon the value of the Acalanes Union High School District parcel tax in regards to the educational excellence it provides to all students. The current $189 parcel tax generates approximately $6.7 million primarily to core and elective curricular student course offerings.

The AUHSD parcel tax pays for over 70 full-time teaching positions. This equates to in excess of 350 class sections of student course offerings. The average AUHSD high school has 69 full-time teaching positions. In essence, the current parcel tax pays for the teaching staff at one of the four comprehensive high schools.

Over the last several years, many districts have greatly increased class sizes and consolidated programs. The AUHSD parcel tax has buffered our students from extreme alternatives, which have been faced by other districts and will be faced by all districts next year. Sacramento has offered no signs of relief for California public schools. Local support is the best protection for any district's desire for quality education.

Many parent, civic, and K-8 school district organizations have provided great support and encouragement for Measure G during the last several months. Such sincere interest by concerned citizens promoting educational excellence has helped make the Acalanes Union High School District a nationally recognized learning community. If you have not already voted, please remember to cast your ballot tomorrow.

Tuesday election endorsements

No, not from me but from a more "reputable" sources, the Contra Costa Times and the San Francisco Chronicle:

Congressional District 10: Both newspapers give a thumbs up to Lt. John Garamendi. The Times says: "Garamendi's long record of service in public office makes him the best choice to represent residents in the district stretching from Fairfield through much of Contra Costa and into Livermore."

Walnut Creek's Measure I (what I'm calling the Neiman Marcus measure, even though, yes, I know, the intiative officially doesn't guarantee Neiman Marcus coming to Broadway Plaza, just a new department store): The Times says Yes.

Acalanes Union High School District's Measure G: The Times says Yes, because the district would be devastated if its $189 per parcel tax is not extended.

Walnut Creek School District's Measure H: The Times says Yes, because this extension of the $82 per parcel tax "is more critical than ever for operations."

How are you going to vote in three hot local races?

A big election is coming November 3, and how are you going to vote in these three races? Participate in the poll at left. (BTW, hope these polls are working; first time I've played with these gadgets! Let me know of any complications.)

--Walnut Creek's Measure I: Do you want a new department store--a Neiman Marcus--to be built in Broadway Plaza?

--The 10th Congressional District: Who do you want to replace former U.S. Representative Ellen Tauscher? Lt. Governor John Garamendi, a Democrat, or San Ramon attorney David Harmer?

--Measures G and H: Both measures would permanently extend parcel taxes in school districts covering Walnut Creek. Acalanes Union High School District's Measure G would extend an $189-per-parcel tax. Walnut Creek's Measure H would extend an $82 per-parcel tax.

Big push, and endorsements, for voters to say “yes” to G and H school parcel tax measures

Two school parcel tax measures on the November 3 ballot, Measure G in the Acalanes Union High School District, and Measure H, in the Walnut Creek School District, received a strong endorsement from the Contra Costa Times. And school leaders in both districts, of course, support the measures, as does the Walnut Creek City Council and Chamber of Commerce.

The measures require approval from two thirds of voters to pass. What is somewhat unusual about these measures is that they would permanently extend the taxes, rather than impose sunset provisions, as in the past. Currently, Walnut Creek’s $82-per-parcel tax and Acalanes’ $189-per-parcel tax are due to expire in 2011.

“These are challenging times for public school officials as they watch their funding shrink drastically because of the fiscal crisis in Sacramento,” says the editorial in the Contra Costa Times. “In an ideal world, the state would equitably fund our schools, ensuring that all students have similar access to quality education. Unfortunately, we don't live in such a world. School districts are partially funded by the state and then left to make up shortfalls on their own.

The parcel tax for the Acalanes district--which includes Walnut Creek’s downtown Las Lomas High School-- brings in about $6.7 million a year. The district’s budget has dropped about $5 million in the past year to $49 million. The Walnut Creek tax brings in about $1.2 million a year, which would help offset the district’s loss in the past year of about $3 million.

Proponents of G&H say that investing in Walnut Creek schools is necessary to provide local children a quality public education. “The Walnut Creek School District and Acalanes Union High School District are consistently among the top-ranked school districts in California.”

Proponents also say that good public schools contribute to our town’s overall economic vitality. That is, all property owners benefit from quality schools. “Currently, home values in our community are strong and maintaining value in large part because homebuyers are motivated to live within these two districts.”

For more information about the measures, visit the Yes on G&H website.